How dogs could save wine production threatened by disease

A pair of English Springer Spaniels named Zinny and Sauvi B have been recruited to hunt vineyard-destroying insects in California.

The dogs’ acute sense of smell is used to detect mealybugs, which infect grapevines with a deadly virus called leafroll 3.

A study in the Lodi wine region, known for its fine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, found that the pups sniffed out leaf roll infections 93.4 percent of the time and had a 97.3 percent detection rate for mealybugs.

It is hoped that in the long term the animals and their offspring could replace pesticides and protect valuable crops from decimation.

Dr. Stephanie Bolton, of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, told trade magazine Wine Spectator: ‘Dogs have up to 300 million human olfactory receptors, five million of them. The dogs can smell things that have no smell for us as humans.

‘The canines are rewarded by playing; it’s a game for them.’

She said the dogs are likely to improve further over time, making their skills “economically viable and scalable.”

“This offers great potential for the sustainability of our sector,” she added. “We cannot meet this challenge if we continue to plant contaminated and infected vines.”

A pair of Springer Spaniels have been recruited to track down vineyard-destroying insects in California. Pictured: woman with dog tasting pink wine in a vineyard

It is hoped that the animals and their offspring could replace pesticides in the long term (file image)

It is hoped that the animals and their offspring could replace pesticides in the long term (file image)

One study found that the pups caught leafroll infections 93.4 percent of the time and had a 97.3 percent detection rate for mealybugs (file image)

One study found that the pups caught leafroll infections 93.4 percent of the time and had a 97.3 percent detection rate for mealybugs (file image)

The mealybug has plagued Californian vineyards for thirty years. It reproduces quickly and spreads among birds, pruners and mechanical harvesters.

Chemical pesticides used to keep them at bay can be harmful to the environment.

Ms Bolton launched the dog trial in 2023 with a £350,000 grant from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

In addition to Zinny and Sauvi B, a black Labrador named Malbec and a German shorthaired pointer named Cab were also tested.

They were trained to patrol the vineyard until they noticed a whiff of mealybug pheromones or the unique odor of leaf roll 3 – which are imperceptible to humans.

When passing an infected vine, a dog alerts its handler by sitting down. He is then rewarded with treats.

The dogs' acute sense of smell is used to detect mealybugs (pictured), which infect grapevines with a deadly virus called leafroll 3

The dogs’ acute sense of smell is used to detect mealybugs (pictured), which infect grapevines with a deadly virus called leafroll 3

When passing an infected vine, a dog alerts its handler to sit and is then rewarded with a treat (file image)

When passing an infected vine, a dog alerts its handler by sitting down. He is then rewarded with treats (file image)

Separate studies have shown that English Springer Spaniels can identify the scent of other horticultural pests, including red spot virus, powdery mildew fungus and spotted lanternfly.

The talented breed has long been used by police and military as a sniffer dog to detect blood, drugs, weapons, banknotes, explosives and electronics.

Researchers have also found they can detect cancer and detect the odor signature of certain diseases, including Covid-19.

Traditionally used to flush and retrieve game, they are descended from the Norfolk and Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century.